Apparatus for gymnastic performances.



A. ROEHR. APPARATUS FOR GYMNASTIG PERFORMANCES.

, APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, 1911. 1 1 1 1 ,970. Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

5 SHEETSSHEET 1.

WITNESSES: N lA/VE/V TOR THE NORRIS F'ETERk an Plmm LITHO lVASH/NUTUN, n

A. ROEHR. APPARATUS FOR GYMNASTIO PERFORMANCES. APPLIUATIQN FILED SEPT. 12, 1911 1,' 1 1 1,970. Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

5 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

N v Q a Q R w R ai Q Q Q- N \Q 'Q .N Q

R 3 k k WITNESSES:

ATTORNEYS 'IHE NORRIS PEYERS C0, FHOTp-LITHQ, WASHINGTON u, (r

A. ROEHR.

1,11 1,970. Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

5 SHEETS-QHEET 3. j/ A Q i 7' WITI VESSES: r. 4 y INVENTOR XfjM flZfiU/"fiOhL THE NORRIS PETERS CO. PHoro-Llrna, WASHINGTON. D. (r.

A. ROEHR.

APPARATUS FOR GYMNASTIC PERFORMANCES.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 12, 1911.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

5 SHEBTS-SHBET 4 INI/ENTOR ATTORNEYS RS co PI OTC-LITHO.. WASHINGTON. D, C

A; ROEHR. APPARATUS FOR GYMNASTIG PERFORMANCES. APPLICATION HLEI) SEPT. 12,1911.

1,11 1,970. Pa ented Sept. 29, 1914.

5 SEEETS-SHEET 5.

WITNESSES: I/V VE N TOR XZMXM v 1H5 NORRIS PETERS c0. PHOTO-LITHO, WASHINGTON. J

UNITED STATES rArrEN'r OFFICE.

ARTHUR. ROEHR, on NEW ,YORK, n. Y.

APPARATUS FOR GYMNASTIC PERFORMANCES.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ARTHUR Ronmz, (whose theatrical nom ole plum-e is CHARLES ROI-1H,) a subject of the Emperor of Germany, residing in the city of New York, borough of Manhattan, county and State of New York, have invented a certain new and useful Apparatus for Gymnastic Performances, of which the following is a specification.

This invention is an apparatus for the-s.

atrical and exhibition purposes, the same being adapted, more particularly, for giving exhibitions of fancy bicycle riding, whereby entertainment and amusement is afforded an audience.

The apparatus when used in giving exhibitions of bicycle riding requires the service of skilled performers, for the reason that the bicycle or motorcycle employed is not attached to, or confined for movement in a predetermined path within, a cage, theposition of which cage is intended to be changed during the performance, whereby training and skill on the part of the performer is required in order to balance himself and the vehicle within the cage, more particularly at the time of changing the position of the cage.

The bicycle is free to travel upon the inner surface of the cage, and in any desired path within the limits of said cage, the path being selected or determined by the rider for the purpose of keeping up the exhibition while the .cage is being raised or lowered, or when the cage is turned from one position to another and back again to a normal position. i

A salient feature of the apparatus is a cage, preferably open at the respective ends, and of slatted or open-work construction, so that the performer and the bicycle may be in the view of the audience.

A. broadly newfeature consists of means for bodily hoisting the cage, particularly during the performance.

Another broadly new feature consists of means for tilting or turning the cage on a horizontal axis and through an arc of 90, more or less, whereby the performer is "required to ride in circles within the cage, the axis of which may change from a horizontal to a vertical, and vice versa, and all the angles intermediate the horizontal and vertical.

Other features of the invention, and the Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Sept. 29, 1914.

Application filed September 12, 1911. Serial No 648,835.

advantages thereof, will appear from the following detaileddescription taken in connection with the drawings.

In the accompanying drawings, I have illustrated different practical embodiments of the invention, but the constructions shown therein are to be understood as illustrative, only, and not as defining the limits of the lnvention. a

Figure 1 is a side elevation of an apparatus embodying this invention, and illustrating thecage in a lowered position, the axls ofthe cage being vertical. Fig. 2 is'a plan view ofthe apparatus shown in Fig. 1, one set of the cables being adjusted for hoisting the cage and the other set of cables being adjusted for steadying the cage during the hoisting operation. Fig. 3 is a plan view of a part of the cage, certain of the ropes; being adjusted for turning the cage on a horizontal axis afforded by certain trunnions to be hereinafter described. Fig. 1 is a side elevation of one of the windlasses employed in connection with one set of ropes and the cage, the particular windlass and set of ropes shown in this figure being operable for turning the cage. Fig. 5 is a view partly in vertical section through the cage the; latter being adjusted forturning the cage on a horizontal axis. Fig. 7 is an elevation, on a reduced scale, of a part of the cage showing certain weights suspended thereon for the purpose of balancing the cage when it is rotated and the performer is riding therein. F ig- 8 is a vertical section, partly in elevation, and on an enlarged scale, illustrating one of the upright posts, a slidable. carriage thereon, and means whereby the cage is adapted to be connected pivotally to said slidable carriage for movement on a horizontal axis. Fig. 9 is a de tail sectional plan view of. a part of the cage, illustrating the means for binding the slats thereof in firm relation to each other. Figs. 10 and 11 are detail views of parts of the apparatus, said Fig. .11 being a cross section on the line 11-11 of Fig. 9. Fig. 12 is a detail sectional view on the line 1212 of Fig. 13, and Fig. 13 is a vertical section through a preferred form ofwindlass whereby one set of ropes may be used to steady the cage when hoisting the latter and the same set of ropes may be manipulated to turn or partially rotate the cage on a horizontal axis.

A designates a cage within which is adapted to travel a bicycle or motorcycle. Said bicycle or motorcycle is not attached to, or limited in any way to movement in a predetermined path within, the cage, but on the contrary, the bicycle or motorcycle is free to travel in any path selected or determined by the rider, and according to the position which the cage occupies during the performance. Said cage somewhat resembles a globe, the ends being cut off in parallel lines so that the ends are open; in horizontal cross section, the cage is circular. While various constructions of cages may be employed in carrying out the invention, it is preferred to employ a knockdown construction for convenience in storage and transportation, one practical form being shown in Figs. 1, 2, 8, 5, 7 and 9 of the drawings. The cage consists of. a large number of slats a, a central external band or hoop a and other bands or hoops a ta The slats a, composing the body of the cage, are each curved longitudinally, see Fig. 5, and the bands or hoops a, a a are positioned externally on these slats, said slats being attached in any suitable way to the series of external bands, so as to .produee a substantial and rigid construction which, however, is comparativelylight in weight, for the reason that the cageand other parts of the apparatus must be transported from place to place in giving exhibitions, etc. The central band or hoop a is composed of a channel bar bent to the required circular form, said central band being divided transversely at suitable intervals so as to produce a. number of sections. When the cage is set up for use, these sections are assembled in end to end order,

and are rigidly fastened together, thereby resulting in a complete ring or hoop at the middle of the cage. The other external bands or hoops a ,-a are positioned substantially at the open ends of the cage, each of said end bands or hoopsbeing composed of sections, in order that said sections may be readily attached. to, or detached from, each other, whereby the cage is rendered knockdown or portable in construction. As shown more particularly in Figs. 2, 3, 5, 9 and 11, each end band or hoop consists of a series of segmental sections, provided near their ends with plates 6, having ears or lugs 6, through which ears or lugs are passed bolts 6 provided with suitable nuts, whereby the sections may be connected in series, so as to produce a complete band.

It is to be observed that the middle hoop a, and the end hoops a a each comprise a series of curved sections, the sections of the respective hoops corresponding in length.

To these sections of hoops are attached the curved slats a, whereby the cage is composed of a number of parts, each part comprising a series of slats, a section of the middle hoop a, and sections of end hoops a a so that the parts may be assembled and fastened together to produce a complete cage which is light, yet strong in construction. When the parts of the cage are thus assembled, certa1n bmdlng blocks 0 and cables or rods C are employed for the purpose of drawing and retaining the several parts into firm engagement. The blocks 0 are positioned exteriorly to the slats a, and across the lines or joints where the parts of the sectional cage meet each other, see Fig. 9, said blocks being provided with grooves 0, see Fig. 11. Two series of blocks 0 are employed, one at each end of the cage, and in the grooves 0 of said blocks are positioned the binding cables C, the respective ends of each cable (or rod) being threaded to receive a turn buckle 0 It will be observed that each end hoop isadapted to be positioned upon the series of slats a at one end of the cage, so that the sections when assembled will be united by the bolts 5 and further, that each binding rod or cable C is adapted to be placed in the seats 0 of blocks 0, and to be connected by the turn buckles 0 whereby the operation of tightening the turn buckles will draw upon the binding rods or cables in a manner to tighten the hoop around the cage.

Cage A is provided at diametrically opposite points, with stub shafts or axles D, one of which is shown in Fig. 8. Each stub shaft or axle is attached to, or made integral with, a block (Z, the latter being positioned within or between the flanges of the central hoop or band a, said block being fastened rigidly to the band by any suitable means. The stub shafts or axles D are supported in sliding carriages E, F, and these carriages are adapted to run upon posts or uprights G, G, respectively, the carriage E and the post G being positioned at one side of the cage, and the carriage F and post G being disposed at the opposite side of the cage, as more clearly shown in Fig. 1. Each post G, G is provided at its lower end with a base 7, adapted to rest upon the floor or other surface, and each post is braced in position by suitable means, in order to preclude swaying or movement of the post when the cage is elevated or tilted. The brace rod 9 is fastened at its upper end to each post and at its lower end to the base plate 9. Anchor cables h are attached to the upper end of the posts, two of said cables extending from opposite sides of each post. Each cable h is provided with a hook adapted for engage ment with the floor anchor 72., said anchor cables operating to retain the post rigidly in position.

Each carriage E or F is constructed in any suitable way, so as to have movement upon one of the posts; as shown, each car-' riage is provided at its ends with offstanding members 6 adapted to embrace the post, and with rollers or wheelsf journaled in the carriage, and positioned for engagement with the post, whereby the carriage is retained in operative relation to the post, and it is free to travel thereon. Intermediate their ends, the carriages are provided with openings j to receive the stub shaft-s or axles D of the cage, whereby said cage is pivotally supported upon, and between, the slidable carriages.

Cooperating with the sliding carriages are hoisting cables H, H, said cables being wound upon one of the two windlassesor drums employed in the apparatus, thewindlass or drum for the hoisting cables H,H being designated at I. This drum or windlass is operated by hand or otherwise so that the cables H, H may be coiled thereon simultaneously, for the purpose of bodily lifting the cage in a vertical direction, and-to a position a suitable distance above the floor of a stage, or other surface. One end of cable H is attached to a hook or eye 2' fastened to the upper end of carriage E; from thence the cable extends upwardly over a pulley z", journaled in the upper end of post G; from thence the cableeXtends in a downward direction to and beneath pulley 2' attached to the base plate g at a point adjacent the post G, and thence the cable is coiled in one direction upon windlass or drum 1. The other cable H is fastened at one end to a hook or eye 51' provided cable His coiled upon Windlass or drum 1 in the same direction as cable H. Thewindlass or drum is mounted on a shaft I, which shaft is journaled in a suitable framework which includes supporting plates or posts 70,

attached rigidly to base plate 9 of post G. Said drum is provided with a gear with which meshes a gear k on a shaft K, said shaft being provided with a hand crank 70 see Figs. 1 and 2. The hand crank afiords a convenient means for operating the drive shaft K to impart rotary motion to drum'I,

for the purpose of exerting tension upon hoisting cables H, H" in a manner to coil said cables upon said drum, and thus elevate cage Am a desired position above the floor of a stage or other surface. Any suitable'means (not shown) may be used for locking drum I against rotation.

It is evident that the rotation of drum I in one direction will simultaneously coil cables H, H, for the purpose of elevating carriage E, F, and cage A; and, further, that drum I may be so manipulated as to slowly rotatefin a reverse direction, for the purpose of uncoiling the cables from the drum, thus allowing said'cables to lower the slidable carriages and the cage, whereupon the cage will be so positioned that one of its open ends will rest upon the floor or other surface; Manifestly, a motor may be em ployed in lieu of the hand crank 70 for the purpose of operating drum I by power instead of byhand.

In addition to the cables ,for hoisting the cage as heretofore described, my apparatus is provided with'another set of cables 0, I the latter operating to perform two functions, mainly, first, to steady the cage or preclude turningthereof on a horizontal axis when said cage is hoisted by cables H, H and the rider or riders are performing within the'cage, and, second, to impart a rotative or turning movement on a horizonital axis to said cage.

During the operation of hoisting the cage by cables-H, H" and drumI, cables 0, P are .heldtaut and paid out slowly and uniformly from a-windlass or drum, Q, whereby cables 0,? operateto preclude cage A from .turn

ing when said cage is hoisted to a suitable elevation above the floor, thus retaining the cage steadily in positionwhen it is hoisted or lowered so that the rider or riders may perform within the cage. The cables 0, P are especiallyuseful in'v imparting a' rotative moveinentto thecage when arider is performing therein. I

As will hereinafter appear, whenlthe cage is turned on a horizontal axis, cables 0, P are attached to said cage in a different manner than the attachment of the cables to' the cage for steadying it during the operation of hoisting the cage by" cables 11,11. For steadying the cage during the hoisting operation, the cables 0, P are attached to the respective sides ofthe cage, as shown in Fig.- 2 and indicated also in Fig. 1, so that said cables will pull uniformly on the sides of the cage to preclude turningthereof, the cables being paid out uniformly or evenly from Windlass Q; but when'th'e cage is at rest upon the floor, as in Fig. 1, cables 0, I maybe disconnected from the cage, shownin Fig. 2, and thereafter said cables O,"Pfmay be arranged and attached to the cageas in Figs.

,3 and 5, so that the cables are effective in turnmg the cage on a horizontal axis and in one dlrectlon, as shown in Fig. 5.

'terior to the cage, that is, they do not pass into or through the chamber of the cage,

In all positions of cables H, H, O, P, they are exalthough one ormoreo'f said cables may" pass across an open end of the cage, but exteriorly thereto, as shown in Figs-2, 8, 5, whereby thecables do not interfere in any manner whateverwith the performance con-- ducted within the cage.

M, and to this shackle is connected cable P of the two cables 0, P. Then cables 0, .P are. tobe operated forturning the cage, said cables are arranged as followsaGable O is provided at one'end with a hooko,- wl1ich engages with a ringer eyev 0, the;latter;being I attached in a suitable way to hoop. or band cage vwhen it restsupon the-floor.

a at a point .equi-distant from-stub axles D, D, see;Fig. 5. From the ringer eye, cable Oexten'ds to the floor and beneath the cage, said cable running from-the cage to and aroundshea-ve qwhich is attachedin a suitable way to a floor anchor q, the latter being positioned upon the floor, and at a suitable distance from the position assumed by the From sheave g, cable-O extendstoand beneath one sheav'em of apair of directionsheaves r, r, (seeFig. 4:) and "from. sheave 9 the cable 0 extends upwardly to a winding drum 'Q. The other cable Pis attached at one end to shackle M'; from thence. cable P extends to and around a; direction sheave p which is connected in a suitable way to. a flooranchor 40 p, the latter being. attached to the floor and at the opposite side of the cage from anchor g. Fromsheave 79, cable P extends to and beneath the other direction pulley 1" of the pair of direction pulleys r,,r.supported on theplate g ofthe post G, and finally said, cableP is wound or coiled on the winding drum Q, (see Fig. 6).

In the constructionshown in Figs. 4 and 6, winding drum Q is carried by a suitable shaft Q, supported in bearings. of an upright frame .9, the latter being fastened rigidly to the base plate 9 of post G. Said winding drum ,Qtis provided with a gear 5 which meshes with aPp-inion s -upon a crankshaft S, whereby the crank shaft is.

adapted, to be rotatedby hand for, the purpose of turning drum Q so as to wind cables O,P on said drum or to unwind, the

cables therefrom in a manner presently to be described.

As shown inf-Fig. '3,cables= O, P run from sheaves r, r in inclined directions to floor pulleys; p, butunder some circumstances these cables 0, Pmay be guided to sheaves 731" by direction' pulleys 7' see-Fig. 4;, said pulleys being suitably supported on base plate 9 between frame 8 and post Gr. When the cage is to be hoisted in a vertical direction, the cage being in the position of Fig. 1, wherein the ax1s of the cage is vertical,

drum I is operated by crank shaft K for the purpose of drawing upon cables H, H, whereby the carriages E, F and cage A are ralsed 1n a vertical direction. Previous to this, however, cables 0, P are adjusted or arranged for the purpose of steadying the cage durmg the hoisting operation, that is .to say, cable O is connected to the cage at one side thereof, thence extends beneath pulleys Q, r and 1s wound 1n one direction around the drum Q, whereas cable P is connected to the opposite side of cage A, thence extends around pulleys p, r and is wound in the same direction around drum Q,

whereby the two cables 0, P are wound in corresponding directions around Windlass Q so as to be simultaneously coiled on said Windlass or to be uncoiled therefrom according to the direction 111 which the windlass is rotated. The arrangement of cables 0, P and the coiling of said cables in one dlrectlon on wlndlass Q is illustrated in F 1g. 2 of the drawlngs. During the hoisting operation, Windlass Q is rotated slowly for the purpose of uncoiling cables 0, P simultaneously while maintaining tension on sald cables in a manner to keep the cables taut and thereby hold the suspended cage in a steady position during the operation of hoisting said cage, whereby one or more riders are enabled to perform the act with- :in the cage during the operation of hoisting said cage. Nhen it is desired to lower the cage, drum I is rotated in a direction to uncoil cables H, H, whereas drum Q is rotated to take up ables 0, P, the cage lowering itself by gravity and the weight of the performers therein and cables 0, P serving the important purpose of precluding the cage from tilting on trunmons D by which the cage 1s suspended from the sl1d1ng carriages.

-P is coiled on the Windlass, it being understood that the operation of removing and recolhng cable 0 15 performed by hand and when the cage A 1s 1n the position of Fig.

1, which shows said cage resting upon the floor. After the operator has unwrapped such performance the cage may be slightly raised by placin tension upon cables H, H through the operation of drumI, but itis important at this time to note that Windlass Q is operated for the purpose of placing tension on one cable and slackening upon the other cable in a manner to turn cage A. on the horizontal axis afforded by trunnions D. When tension is placed upon cable 0, and cable P is slackened, by rotating Windlass Q in one direction, it is evident that the cage A will be turned on trunnions D, care being taken to turn the cage slowly on the horizontal axis in order that the rider may be given an opportunity to so conduct the performance within the cage as to maintain his equilibrium on the bicycle within said cage. When the cage begins to turn to the position of F ig. 5, roller L rides upon the floor of the stage so as to assist in keeping the cage in a steady position while the rider is performing therein, but it is manifest that by a continued slow turning move-- ment of Windlass Q, the cables O, P are so manipulated and controlled as to gradually? turn the cage to a position wherein the axis of said cage is horizontal, at which time the rider performs the unusual featof moving in a vertical circular path within the cage. This is due to the high speed of the bicycle within the cage, by the efforts ofv the rider, and to the momentum acquired by the rider and the bicycle while performing within the cage, whereby the rider and the bicycle are capable of making a number of complete turns within the cage when it is in a ver-' tical position, the axis being horizontal or substantially so. Manifestly, the cage may be hoisted vertically a suitable distance above the floor by the operation of cables H, H and drum 1, or the cage may be lowered, and thereafter the cage may be returned back to its normal position by the operation.

of Windlass Q and cables 0,1.

Prior to turning the cage as last described, and as partly illustrated in Fig. 5, certain balance weights S are connected to, or suspended from, one side'of the cage substantially as shown in Fig. 7, and indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 5. These balance weights are connected detachably to the cage by suitable hooks engaging with eyes,

the latter being secured rigidly to channeled band a as shown in Fig. 7. The balance turning it, but'the main purpose of. using the weightsisto counteract the action upon the cage of therider and the bicycle due to the centrifugal force of the bicycle and the rider against the upper side of the cage. Assuming that the rider weighs about 170 pounds and the bicycle from 10 to 20 pounds,-it is preferred to employ weights of about 450 pounds, and to suspend said weights from the under side of the cage. Of course, the weights are not used when the cage is to be hoisted in. the position of Fig.

1, and for this reason the weights are connected detachably to the cage.

In Figs. 12 and 13 of the drawings there is shown mechanism for operating cables 0, P without the necessity of the attendant to change one of the cables on windless Q. Said operating mechanism embodies two drums T, T which are loosely and independently mounted on an arbor or spindle t, the latter being journale'd in suitable bearings of a frame t. Said arbor or spindle is provided with a collar t and .near one end the spindle is externally threaded as at 25 Drum T is provided at one end with a gear a, whereas drum T is provided atone end with a gear a, but at their adjacent ends drums T, T are provided with flanges and friction faces, whereby the two drums are adapted to be frictionally connected for simultaneous rotation on spindle or arbor t. This frictional contact between the two drums is secured by the employing of any suitable clutch device, and in Fig. 13 said clutch de vice is represented as a hand wheel U, the hub of which is provided with a threaded bore, whereby thehand wheel is adapted to be screwed upon the thread t of the spindle or arbor so that said hand wheel will engage with drum T, for the purpose of moving said drum T lengthwise of the arbor or spindle. By this construction drum T is adapted to be forced in one direction by the hand wheel, for the purpose ofbringing the two drums into frictional engagement, thus causing thetwo drums to rotate as a unit, but when the hand wheel is adjusted in an opposite direction, the frictional engagement of drums T, Tis slackened, and thus the drums are permitted to rotate on the ar bor or spindle independently of each other for a purpose which will presently appear. V designates a shaft adapted to'be operated by a hand crank '22, said shaft being journaled in suitable bearingsof frame 6 above and parallel to arbor t. *Secured rigidly to the shaft is a gear w which meshes directly with gear a of drum T-. Shaft V is provided with asquare or polygonal part '1), and on this part of the shaft is fitted a slidion able gear w, said gear being adapted at all engages a hand lever X, the latter being erated by the attendant in a manner to move gear 'w into and out of mesh with an idler gear W, see Fig. 12. This idler gear meshes with the gear u of drum T, and when gear 10 is moved to an operative position, said idler gear WV meshes with both the gear and the gear a, whereby the shaft Vis adapted through gears w, W, and u to rotate drum T" in one direction, and said j shaft is adapted, also, to operate gear's 10,2; for the purpose of rotating drum T in an.

opposite direction to drum T. v

The mechanism just described is employed for rotating drums T, T simultaneously in one direction in order to coil cables 0, P

simultaneously upon drums T, T or to uncoil said cables simultaneously from said drums, as 15 required in the operatlon' of steadyiing cage A during the hoisting thereof, but the described mechanism may be employed, also, for the pnrpose of rotating drums'T, T in opposite directions to each other, in order to pay out'cable 0 while drawing in on cable P, or vice vers'a, said operations of paying out one cable and taking in the other cable being: performed simultaneously.

lVhen hoisting the cage, drums T, T are clutched together for simultaneous rotation by the adjustment of hand wheel U, gear w being shifted out of mesh with idler gear W and shaft V being rotated to impart simultaneous movement to drums T, T in one direction or the other, so as to keep the required tension upon cables 0, P whenthey are adjusted as shown in Fig: 2, for the purpose of steadying the cage during the hoisting operation. Prior to turning the cage, cablesO, P are connected therewith-in the manner shown inFigsB and 5,-and the power mechanism is adjusted as follows! Hand wheel U is turned to the left so as to release drums T, T from frictional engage ment and thus place them in condition to rotate independently of arbor t. Lever X is operated by hand toshift gear to" into mesh with idler gear VVh'en shaft V is turned it operates gears w, w, said gear we imparting rotary motion togearu and drum T,- whereas the gear w rotates idler W and gear a for the purpose of rotating} drum T, in an opposite direction to drum T. B

this arrangement cable 0 is adapted to be coiled upon drum* T When cable P is uncoiled" from drum T by turning shaft V in one direction, but when said shaft is, turned in an opposite direction then cable P is coiled'u'pon' drum '1 and cable 0 is uncoiled from drum T, whereby cables 0, P may be operated to impart the turning movement to cage A. By employing the power mechanism of Figs. 12 and 13- '1t is not necessary for the operator to change the direction in which one cable is coiled oppositely to the other cable upon the Windlass, for the reason that the operator by manipulating the hand wheel clutch U and lover X may place the power mechanism in a position to rotate drums T, T simultaneously in one direction, or said drums may be rotated simultaneously in opposite directions.

Having thus fully described the invention, what I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of fixed posts, carriages slidably fitted on said posts, a cage pivoted to said carriages and adapted to be supported in a raised position thereby, said cage being free to turn on a horizontal axis afforded by said pivotal connections, hoisting cables connected to said carriages, and cage turning mechanism separate from the hoisting cables.

, 2. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a plurality of fixed posts, carriages slidably fitted on said posts, a cage pivoted to said carriages, separate hoisting cables connected to said carriages, a winding drum for said hoisting cables, and turning cables connected to the pivoted cage, said turning cables being separate from the hoisting cables.

3. In an apparatus of the class described,

the combination of a plurality of fixed posts, carriages slidably fitted on said posts, a cage pivoted to said carriages, hoisting cables connected to the carriages for raising and lowering the carriages and the cage, a Winding drum whereon the cables are wound, and other cables connected to said cage intermediate the pivotal connections between the hoisting cables and the carriages, said cables being separate from the hoisting cables and operating to steady the cage during the hoisting thereof.

4;. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pivoted cage, hoisting 110 mechanism therefor, a Windlass separate from the hoisting mechanism, and cables connected with the cage and operated by the Windlass for steadying the cage during the hoisting operation, said cables and wind- 115 lass being adapted to impart rotary movement to said cage.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pivoted cage, the inner surface of which constitutes a track for a 12G bicycle, means for imparting rotary movement to the cage, and means for balancing said cage inopposition to the centrifugal force of a bicycle rider performing within the cage, said balancing means being inde- 125 pendent of the bicycle adapted to traverse the cage.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pivoted cage, the inner surface of which constitutes a track for a 130 bicycle, means for imparting rotary movement to said cage, and balancing Weights suspended from the cage adjacent to an edge thereof to counteract the centrifugal force of a bicycle and the rider thereof during a performance Within the cage, said balancing Weights being independent of the bicycle adapted to traverse the cage.

7. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pivoted cage, the inner surface of Which constitutes a track for a bicycle, means for imparting rotary move ment to said cage, and balancing Weights detachably connected to the cage adjacent to an edge thereof, to counteract the centrifugal force of a bicycle and the riderthereof during aperformance Within the cage, said balancing Weights being independent ofthe bicycle adapted to traverse the cage.

8. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of acage, a Windlass and cables for hoisting the cage, a separate Windlass, and separate cables connected to the separate Windlass and to the cage near the opposite edges thereof for steadying the cage during the hoisting operation.

9. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of a pivoted cage, means for hoisting the same, a plurality of Windlasses rotatable on a common axis, cables connected to the cage and Wound on the respective Windlasses, and mechanism whereby the Windlasses may be rotated simultane ously in one direction or said Windlass may be rotated simultaneously in opposite directions to eachother.

10. In an apparatus of the class described,

spective windlasses, clutching means Whereby the Windlasses may be rotated simultaneously in one direction, and means for imparting rotary motion simultaneously to said Windlasses in opposite directions to each other.

11. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of fixed upright guides, carriages slidable'on said guides, a cage pivoted to saidcarriages, a Windlass and cables for hoisting the carriages and the cage, a, separate Windlass, and cables connected to the cage and Wound on said separate windlass for steadying the cage duringthe operation of hoisting it and for imparting rotary motion to said cage on a horizontal axis.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscr1b1ng Witnesses.

ARTHUR ROEHR.

Witnesses:

M. C. RODRIGUEZ. J. F. MOTHERSHEAD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents,

Washington, D. G. p 

